Bella Blvd Studio Blog

What are you thankful for?

That's the challenge theme for today! Scrapbook the things, those people, and the life that you are thankful for. This time of  year, whether you are religious or not, is always a great time to reflect on the blessings around you. 

I found it very ironic that Beth's response was the exact same as what I was thinking....

"I am Thankful for the Little Things."

As I like to call them, "the Little People." My nieces and nephew really do keep me going. I love being near their positive attitudes, carefree personalities and restless little bodies! They remind me of the innocence we all come from. I am thankful for little people! That's for sure.

What are you thankful for? Bella Blvd's Family Tree collection is perfect for scrapbooking Thanksgiving and your blessings! And remember-if you get your layout finished you still have until midnight tonight to submit to win our very first Fall Family Layout Contest!! 

3 days in counting...

until the Bella Blvd Layout Contest submissions will be closed. Some great layouts have been sent in...be sure to get your chance at winning some fabulous prizes by emailing us your submission before midnight on Wednesday, November 26th!

looking forward to seeing more beautiful Bella layouts!

Online Love

Over the past couple of weeks I have spotted some beautiful layouts online in galleries and blogs. What better way to kick-off the weekend than with more fresh inspiration.

Michelle Lanning

Orange County, California

"I am a mommy to one princess named Alyson - who is the center of my world. I am married to my high school sweetheart. With these two people in my life I love nothing more than to capture our memories as a family together. Scrapbooking allows me to do that in a creative way which I love."

And Ronda Simpson made some beautiful layouts as well!

Ronda Simpson lives in a small Texas town and married to her handsome husband Jake, for 11 years. She is a SAHM to their three children.

I cannot even tell you how much I *LOVE LOVE LOVE* that Ronda turned the trees upside down to create pumpkins! So stinkin' cute!

Thank you ladies for allowing up to share your gorgeous work!

A Friendly Reminder . . .

to get your Layouts submitted soon! Deadline is Wednesday, November 26 at midnight.

I you need a quick refresher, you can find all the details here.

Designer Challenge: Becky Heisler

Challenge: What makes you happy? (This can be about you or anyone else you'd like...)

The Execution:

Lovin' the stamp-like edges on this  layout! This can be created easily with your circle punch.

Becky also played the "This or That" game we can get to know her a little bit more!

local scrapbook store or online shopper?

Post bound, D-ring or Strap Hinge?

Skittles or M&Ms?

Both! :)

Life of the Party or Wallflower?

Starbucks or Jamba Juice?

Night Owl or Morning Glory?

Brett Favre or Tony Romo?

Tennis shoes or Stilettos?

Designer Spotlight: Becky Heisler

I'm *totally* in love with this custom photograph print! I love love love that it looks like an old-school film strip! Awesome! Also the edging on this page have so much texture! It's a great shabby chic look!

Here's a little bit about Becky...

Q: What are some of your other hobbies?

A: Gardening, quilting, and reading

Q: What is your best photo secret?

A: Photoshop, baby!

Q: Do you have a blog we can visit?

A: Absolutely! A-lot-About Nothing

Q: Average photos per layout?

A: 2-3 photos.

Q: Favorite flavor of ice cream?

A: Chocolate Fudge with toasted Almonds

Q: Who would you like to sit down and have drinks with?

A: Ali Edwards.

Q: Who is your super hero?

A: My husband.

Designer Challenge: Dana DiGennaro

Dana's Challenge: Run all page elements off the edge of your layout.

The Result:

When I saw this layout the first thing I thought was, "Wow, I never realized how great this paper collection works with summer/swimming photographs!" Dana, once again, you've given us some great inspiration. Just as before, I love the layering, also the stitching on the edges, and the custom tidal waves you created with the patterned paper are so cool! What a great use of the products!

A few words from Dana about the challenge....

"When I saw this challenge and the paper I'd be working with, I knew what pictures I wanted to scrapbook right away - ones that would make a "big splash" right off the sides of the page. That way I could made the paper AND the embellishments run off the side, which at first I thought would be quite challenging. Once I got started, it was so much fun to try something new...and I love the way it came out."

Designer Spotlight: Dana DiGennaro

As soon as this one arrived, I fell in love the all the layers! And the title was just perfect, "Pack Your Bags, Reading Will Take You on A Tour of the World!"

A little more about Dana...

Q: What is your occupation/day job?

A: SAHM and also a professional flutist.

Q: How long have you been scrapbooking?

A: 11 1/2 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Bold and busy.

Q: Who looks at your albums the most?

A: My husband, interesting isn't it?

Q: What are some of your favorite websites and blogs to visit?

A: Ally Scraps, Two Peas, and Scrapdango.

Q: What is your biggest scrapbooking nightmare?

A: Glitter, everywhere!

Q: Who would you like to sit down and have drinks with?

A: Sally Fields, love her on Brothers and Sisters.

And how about "This or That?"

Local Scrapbook Store or Online Shopper?

Both!

Leopard or Zebra print?

umm...neither.

Life of the Party or Wallflower?

Brett Favre or Tony Romo?

Who are they?

Photographs on glossy or matte?

Hallmark or Hand-made?

Hand-made, but Hallmark in a pinch.

Tennis Shoes or Stilettos?

Flip-flops!

Announcing: Bella Blvd's First Layout Contest

All applicants are welcome! We want to see your Fall and Family scrapbooking layouts using Bella Blvd products! If you're looking to find Bella Blvd products, we have updated our Store Locator just for you! Please be sure to read complete Contest Details Here!

This contest would not be possible without sponsorship from these great companies:

Two Spotted Dogs

The Scrap Room, Inc.

Parisian Studio

Prizes:

First Place Winner will receive a $100 gift card to his/her favorite local scrapbook store. In addition, product packages from both one of the contest sponsors and Bella Blvd, your winning layout and portrait featured on the Studio Blog.

Second Place Winner will receive a $50 gift card to his/her favorite local scrapbook store. In addition, product packages from both one of the contest sponsors and Bella Blvd, your winning layout and portrait featured on the Studio Blog.

Third Place Winner will receive product packages from both one of the contest sponsors and Bella Blvd and your winning layout and portrait featured on the Studio Blog.

Here Are the Details:

1. All submissions are due no later than Wednesday, November 26th, 2008.

2. Contest winners will be posted Monday, December 1st, 2008 on the Studio Blog. Prizes will be shipped out soon afterwards.

3. Send one layout (any size) using Bella Blvd products. We challenge you to not only use Family Tree, but also try scrappin' those Fall layouts with Pack Your Bags products. A layout can be a single page or double page spread.

4. Please only send one image. There is no need for close up and detail images.

5. File should not exceed 700 pixels x 700 pixels or 700 kb.

6. Email the above along with your name, phone number and email address to art@bellablvd.net, subject line: FALL/FAMILY LAYOUT CONTEST.

7. Winners will be announced during the first week of December on the Studio Blog, and will be contacted via email and telephone.

More eye candy! + A Fun Project

(Be sure to read all the way to end today for some exciting stuff coming soon...)

Wha-hoo! We've received a few more links with some way cool kits including Bella Blvd products. 

Over at Parisian Studio there are some sweet sweet kits. One add-on "Happy Travels" Kit with some Pack Yours Bags goodies 

and also the November Kit with some of the beautiful Family Tree.

Scrapdango in Oregon has a super cute "Sugar Kit" available... 

(I'm totally loving those chipboard layering trees and that fabulous orange apple embellishment on the right!)

Last, but definitely not least is Scrapbook Lover's Dream's November Kit

Okay----so now that's its easier to find Bella Blvd stuff online and in your local scrapbook stores, we've decided to kick off a Fall Family Layout Contest for the month of November. That's all I can tell you right now....but look for more details very very soon! It has been so very exciting seeing some beautiful layouts made with our products all over the place that we want you to make some more & send them to us. It's going to be fun and the prizes will be fabulous!

If I were you...I'd start taking some beautiful family/fall photos, get them printed real quick, and start searching for some Bella Blvd products to purchase so that you're ready to rock when the contest details are revealed in just a couple days....